Cover Charge #25 - Soft Cell to Nancy Sinatra

Cover Charge is simple: A covers B, B covers C, C covers D and so on, until I loop back to where I started, Ouroboros-style.

Last time: Nine Inch Nails to Soft Cell

I sometimes wonder how bands decide what songs by other artists to have a crack at. Just something they love, or that influenced them? A straw-grab when inspiration is lacking? Or a stab at something thematic? Like... let's record a Bond theme! I have no evidence one way or the other, but I do wonder if that's how this slightly lumpen Straight Bat interpretation of You Only Live Twice from Soft Cell came to be. Either way, it saw the light of day as a B-side to their 1983 single Soul Inside.

Notwithstanding 80s synth reworkings, this is one of the greatest Bond themes, in my book. Here's Nancy Sinatra's original, as it was meant to be seen and heard - introducing Sean Connery and Donald Pleasence to a packed cinema.

Blofeld: James Bond. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ernst Stavro Blofeld. 
They told me you were assassinated in Hong Kong.
Bond: Yes. This is my second life
Blofeld: You only live twice, Mr Bond.

And so on. Brilliant. Screenplay by Roald Dahl, you know!

Next time: Nancy puckers up...

The Cover Charge "chain" to date.